I have to admit, graduating from university this summer was one of my proudest moments as I worked hard for my degree but now comes the decision most new graduates face - what to do next!
After all the fun of the student lifestyle and 'comfort' of the education system (a weird thing to say I know!) you are suddenly left facing the 'grown-up' world and it feels like some pretty big decisions have to be made. Many of my friends have agreed that it is all rather overwhelming.... Some have continued their studies whilst most are trying to figure out what to do next (and adjusting to life back at home with their parents around - we all miss the independence of living away from home and back then, if you wanted to eat crisps for dinner, that was acceptable!)
I've come to think of my time at university as one brilliantly fun, emotional but rewarding, life changing chapter of my life and am finally accepting that my student days are over and it is onto the next chapter (this has taken a while though!). What the next chapter holds in store is quite uncertain at the moment and for now, small decisions are like stepping stones to ultimately something bigger (finger crossed!)
As a graduate you are faced with many choices whether it'd be completing some voluntary work, an internship or work experience, temping, or a full-time job (adjusting to the 9-5 lifestyle is something I think most students and graduates are a tad fearful of!). Whilst there are many options, the competition also seems higher than ever and standing out amongst hundreds of others is a scary thought .
Something I read online when I first finished university has really stuck in my mind - don't plan for the next 40 years (as a society I think there is a pressure for young people to know what they want to do with the rest of their lives) but instead simply take a few years at a time and try and make short-term or near future goals. This makes the whole career thing far less daunting and it can be the case that people *think* they are going to like X career but when they try it out they decide its not for them at all! Or perhaps you know an older person who has had a complete career change and now does something that makes them truly happy.
For now I'm going to take each little step at a time and keep an open mind. Keeping a positive attitude is half the battle I've been told.
What are your thoughts on leaving school, college or university and working out what to do next? Xx
No comments:
Post a Comment